Ukraine to Receive NATO Recommendations for Alliance Membership After War Ends
North Atlantic Alliance member countries will provide recommendations to Ukraine regarding its accession to the alliance, particularly focusing on the reforms Ukraine should implement to prepare for NATO membership. This was announced by NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, as reported by The Guardian.
Stoltenberg emphasized that allies agree that Ukraine will become a NATO member in the future, and reminded of the assistance member countries provide to Ukraine amidst the full-scale war. "During our meeting, we will agree on recommendations for Ukraine's priority reforms while continuing to support Kyiv on the path to membership," stated the NATO Secretary-General.
However, all alliance members agree that full membership for Ukraine remains impossible amid the ongoing war, even though avenues of cooperation between Ukraine and NATO persist, added Stoltenberg.
Nevertheless, NATO continues to actively support Ukraine. This month, Germany and the Netherlands pledged to allocate €10 billion to Ukraine, while other allies, including the United States and Finland, are directing additional funds to strengthen Ukrainian air defense against Russian attacks.
As noted by Stoltenberg, NATO allies are monitoring and implementing decisions made regarding Ukraine and NATO membership at the summit in Vilnius in July of this year.
"We made three important decisions. Firstly, we shortened Ukraine's path to membership from a two-stage process to a single-stage, eliminating the membership action plan requirement for Ukraine, so that step is already taken," he said.
Additionally, the NATO-Ukraine Council was established, serving as a crucial body where Ukraine and all NATO allies meet on equal terms with equal rights and responsibilities, allowing for joint decision-making. In October, the NATO-Ukraine Council discussed an updated reform plan for Ukraine's future accession to the alliance. Following that meeting, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced the creation of "capability coalitions" for Kyiv, including the training of the Ukrainian Air Force.
Furthermore, Stoltenberg noted that Sweden's future accession to NATO will enhance the overall security of the region and urged Turkey and Hungary to complete its ratification.